Improvement in fire-plugs or hydrants



M 8 h S S t e 8 h S 2 Fire Plug or Hydrant.

THE GRAPHIC C0.PHOT0 LITH.39 &41 PARK PLAUEN-Y.

ZSheets--Sheet2- L. S. CHAPMAN.

Fire Plug or Hydrant.

N()`.l63,301l PatentedMay18,1875.

WITN'ESSES INVENTOR .charge-pipes, valve-rods,

N IQINITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

LEONAHD s. CHAPMAN, or WASHINGTON, DIsTnIcT oF COLUMBIA.` if

IMPROVEMENT IVN FIRE-PLUGS OR HYDRANTS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,301; dated May 1S, 1875; application filed March 29, 1875.

letters andgures of reference marked there lon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a side elevation of my device, showing the covering-jacket, the dome closed down and its door open. Fig. 2 is a central and vertical cross-section of the same, showing the disthe framing-plates, and the draining-tubes. Fig. 3 is a top view of my device with the dome removed. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the same, showing the sliding valves closed.

My invention is an improved fire-plug or hydrant; and consists in the novel construc- `tion, arrangement, and operation of the same,

embracing the following peculiar elemental features: Three or more separate dischargepipes, firmly secured in a vertical position by two horizontal plates, through which said pipes pass, above and below, so as to form a substantial frame, upon and to which the oth er parts of my device are attached and adjusted; sliding valves corresponding in number to that of said pipes, pivoted upon the bottom surface of said lower plate, and slidden to and fro and closely over and from the lower ends of said pipes, each by an independent valve- Arod, extending vertically from the said pivoting and valve `end up through both of said plates, outside of said discharge-pipes, and sufiiciently above the upper ends of the same vto allow7 to the bent or handled end of said rod a clear and unobstructed movement; branch draining Siphon-tubes, one leading from the inside of the lower end of each discharge-pipe, and all joining entirely outside of the whole device into one pipe, so as to form a siphon with one or more branches 5 a vertically-sliding jacket extending and coveringin the said parts of my device from the periphery of the upper to the lower one 0f said horizontal f plates, all of which and their purposes are hereinafter more fully described, and illustratedy by the accompanying drawings, in which the same letters designate identical parts of my device in the different figures, respectively. f

The letter A represents the said dischargepipes, which are metallic, of any desired number, of any suitable caliber or length, entirely distinct and separated from each other,'and firmly secured in a vertical and triangular or circular position by the two horizontal plates B B', forming with said pipes a substantial frame, as aforesaid. The upper ends of said pipes are slightly curved outward and screwthreaded, so that when hose is connected therewith there shall be a smooth and unobstructed current of water through said pipes and hose. The supporting horizontal plates` B B are circular metallic disks, the upper one, B, of suitable diameter and thickness to embrace the pipes A, as aforesaid, the lower one, B', being of somewhat larger dimensions, for purposes hereinafter described, and both pierced with suitable holes, through which said pipes pass, and within which they are tightly and firmly held. lThe lower end ot' each pipe A is provided with a sliding valve,

C, as shown, which lets on and shuts oft' cornmunication through `said pipe by being pivoted to the lower extremity of a valve-rod, c,

.closely upon the bottom surface ot said lower plate, where the pipes A are cut off usli with said surface, and moved by a handle, b, at the other extremity of ysaid rod. The said rodsa are each entirely independent of the others, and are easily held in a vertical position, and turned within suitable holes pierced through both plates B B for the purpose, and suitably hushed and packed to prevent leak'- age. Said rods are also adjusted and operated entirely outside of the discharge-pipes A, for the purpose of allowing a free and unobstructed current through said pipes, of pre'- venting the rapid destruction of the rods by rust, and the clogging of their movement by frost or otherwise. The said lower or base plate B is made with a larger diameter than the other, to allow for the space required for the suitable movements of said sliding valves C, the extent of their oscillations being limited by the check-pins n, suitably placed, and to provide also a sufficient base for the per- Inanent security of the above and herein dei Ywhich thusV drain's'either or all of said'dis- Vthe discharge-pipe is opened by the sliding back, as aforesaid, of its valve, the upward current of water will tightly close said flapvalve; but when the sliding valve shuts off said current, the weight of the column of wa- 4ter remaining in the discharge-pipe, together with its own weight, opens the Hap-valve and starts a current through said draining-tube, which continues to run until the whole contents of said pipe are completely drained away.

The letter E represents the aforesaid jacket, consisting of a metallic and evenly cylindrical shell, of suitable thickness, and of sufficient diameter to slide closely over the periphery of the said upper plate B, and down over a thin and narrow flange, d, which is of the same diameter as the said upper plate, and vertically projecting above said lower plate B', and around the outside of said discharge-pipes. Said jacket is made of sufficient length to reach from the said lower plate B nearly up to and around the upper surface of said upper plate B, and thus inclose all those parts of my device between the two said plates. It has also suitable slots, e, cut into its lower edge, within one or more of which are suitable guide-pins g, projecting from said flange d, so that when said jacket is slid vertically upward, by action of frost or otherwise, it will easily clear itself from the said draining-tubes beneath without turning or twisting, and also readily t over them again when said jacket is returned to its proper position.

The letter F represents the aforesaid dome, which consists of a hollow cast-metal shell, of suitable height and thickness, and of equal outside diameter, to be flush with the periphery of said upper plate B, upon which ysaid dome rests when closed; Said dome is suitably hinged at its lower edge, so as to lswing back out of the way when the fire-plug is in use; and when closed down, the hinge must be so adjusted as not to obstruct the sliding off or on of the said jacket. Said dome is also provided with a door, G, suitably hinged, and opening, as shown, and which has also a catch or bolt, h, projecting horizontally inward from the middle of its lower edge,to fit -within `the staple i, projecting above the plate B, so that when said dome is swung down and its door is closed and locked, the whole of said covering contrivance is securely fastened down, and the handles of the valve-rods kept, as aforesaid, immovably in place. i

Instead of the above-described dome and its door, said covering may be a simple cylinder, resting permanently upon said plate B,

as aforesaid, and provided with a movable YYcap, which will open backward upon aY suitable hinge, and expose the discharge-pipes A sufficiently to give the handles of the valverods free movement, and allow hose to be easily attached to any or all of said pipes.

The whole of my fire-plug or hydrant, thus described, is firmly and suitably secured upon a combined water-chamber and gooseneck, H, as shown, said chamber being gradually enlarged as it curves upward, from its connection with the service-pipe at m toward its junction with said lire-plug at k, all under ground, so as to give an unobstructed water-current from said service-pipe of the main into any or all of said discharge-pipes.

My fire-plug can, and should be, adjusted in the ground, at any suitable depth, in connection with the service-pipe, leading from any water-main, so that the dome or covering aforesaid shall be just above the surface of the earth or pavement, to allow the said covering to be readily seen and thrown back whenever the said hydrant is required for use.

The operation of my device is as follows: Whenever a supply of water is desired through said fire-plug, the door G is opened, which looses the dome F, which is thrown back; hose is then attached, as aforesaid, to any or all of the tops of the discharge-pipes A; one or more of the handles of the sliding valve-rods turned outward, which opens the lower ends of said discharge-pipes, and allows the current of water from the source of supply to ow readily and unobstructedly through said pipes and hose into the open air, a fire-engine, or wherever desired.

By reversing the above details of operation, the water is shut of and the hydrant securely closed.

Thus, my device, as described and compared with others of similar character, is simpler in construction, less liable to disarrangement or fracture, more easily mended and rearranged, and much readier and more effective in operation; therefore,

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. ln a fire-plug or hydrant, the several and separate discharge-pipes A, constructed and arranged as shown, in combination with the horizontal plates B B', substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The sliding valves C, constructed and arranged as shown, and operated by the valve-rods a and their handles b, in combination with the horizontal plates B B and the discharge-pipes A, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. 'Ihe branch draining Siphon-tubes D, constructed and arranged as shown, and operating by the Hap-valve c, in combination with the discharge-pipes A, substantially as and for the purposes speeied.

4. The vertically-sliding jacket E, provided with the slots e, in combination with the plates B Bf, the latter provided with the flange d and guide-pins g, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

LEONARD S. CHAPMAN.

Witnesses:

E. C. WEAVER, R. H. STEELE. 

